Lu Zuichang's gaze was fierce as he said, "Since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish! In three days, at the central arena of Linxian City, I will personally expose you, you cheater!"
Zi Linling scoffed, "I'm looking forward to seeing this stupid donkey of yours banish itself!"
Lu Zuichang said fiercely, "Hmph! When you fall into my hands, I'll make you wish you were dead!"
Zi Linling sneered, "Then we'll see!"
"We'll see!"
Lu Zuichang glared at Zi Linling with malevolence and stomped away in a huff.
Cai Wenjie shot Zi Linling a gloating look and trotted out after him.
Nian Youyu looked at Zi Linling with worry, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Zi Linling teased, "I say, Old Nian, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't look at me like that, I'm not interested in old men."
Nian Youyu froze for a moment, finally understanding her meaning. He scolded her indignantly, "You little brat, I could be your grandfather, how can you be so disrespectful!"
"Puchi!"
Zi Linling laughed and joked, "Alright, alright, Grandpa Nian! I know you're worried about me, but I want to say your worry is unnecessary! You just put your mind at ease and watch how I deal with scum."
Nian Youyu said with slight reproach, "Silly girl, I clearly warned you that Lu Zuichang has a special identity, why did you have to offend him?"
Zi Linling said with a smile, "Because his donkey mouth is too long!"
"Puchi!"
"Hahaha!"
Nian Youyu and Feng Mo both burst into laughter.
They had held back their laughter in front of Lu Zuichang, but now, with him gone and hearing the words "donkey mouth long," the two old men laughed unrestrainedly.
After laughing, they both said helplessly, "Little girl, only you dare to talk about him like that!"
Zi Linling asked in surprise, "What? You're afraid of him?"
Nian Youyu and Feng Mo exchanged a look and smiled wryly, "Girl, the Alchemist Guild in Linxian City is extremely complex, it's not an exaggeration to describe it as murky.
Lu Zuichang is nothing to fear, it's his grandfather, the president of the Linxian City Alchemist Guild—Lu Bingcheng!
The current Linxian City Alchemist Guild has become almost entirely Lu Bingcheng's domain.
Anyone who follows his wishes, even if they have no ability, can hold high positions, just like that Cai Wenjie.
And anyone who opposes him, even if their alchemy skills are astounding, has been expelled from the Alchemist Guild on various pretexts, and some have even suddenly disappeared."
"Disappeared? What do you mean?"
Zi Linling frowned and asked.
But as soon as she finished asking, a look of realization dawned on her face.
She said in shock, "Killing to silence? No way! Does that Lu Bingcheng really dare to do that?"
Nian Youyu and Feng Mo nodded simultaneously.
"Although we have no evidence, all the clues point to him," Nian Youyu said indignantly.
"Yes, before those people disappeared, they had major conflicts with Lu Bingcheng, and even fought fiercely!" Feng Mo added.
"Then you're just letting him have his way?" Zi Linling asked with a frown.
Nian Youyu smiled wryly, "We two were sent out on a mission at the time. By the time we returned, Lu Bingcheng had already purged his opponents and had consolidated his power."
Feng Mo continued, "Although we old men dislike his actions, what can we do? We can only bide our time and wait for an opportunity!"
Zi Linling thought for a moment and asked, "Your so-called opportunity, wouldn't it be waiting for people from the Alchemist Headquarters to come down?"
Nian Youyu and Feng Mo were both surprised, "How did you know?"
Zi Linling said with a wry smile, "I guessed!"
These two old men were genuinely kind-hearted, but a bit slow-witted.
How could Lu Bingcheng have acted so brazenly if he hadn't greased the palms of those above?
The reason he hadn't dealt with Nian Youyu and Feng Mo yet was probably because he was planning something big and didn't have the time or the hands to spare.
Since Nian Youyu and Feng Mo wouldn't cause him any trouble for the time being, he decided to play along and keep them around as a cover.
At this moment, Zi Linling finally understood that she had inadvertently stepped into a quagmire.
But thinking about it, if she had known about this beforehand, would she have endured Lu Zuichang's insults and compromised?
Of course not!
The Ghost Hand Poison Doctor had her pride, how could she be insulted and not retaliate?
Thinking this, the bitterness in Zi Linling's eyes vanished, replaced by determination.
Some people's bad habits were a result of being indulged, but that was before they met her.
In short, if people don't offend me, I won't offend them; if they offend me, I'll retaliate tenfold!
Therefore, Zi Linling said seriously, "Old Nian, Old Feng, what I'm about to say may be hard for you to believe, but I have to say it.
Your wish is beautiful, and your methods are cautious enough, but your beautiful wish will ultimately be unattainable."
"Why?"
Nian Youyu and Feng Mo asked in surprise.
Zi Linling shook her head and said helplessly, "Think about it, how could Lu Bingcheng not have thought of a loophole that even an outsider like me can see?
And think about it, Lu Bingcheng acted so brazenly, and even didn't bother to cover up the clues. Isn't he afraid that someone from above will investigate?"
Nian Youyu was still a bit confused, but Feng Mo seemed to understand and said, "You mean..."
Zi Linling nodded, confirming Feng Mo's thoughts.
Nian Youyu became a little anxious, "What riddle are you two playing?"
Zi Linling and Feng Mo both looked at him with disdain, "You're very silly!"
Nian Youyu: "..."
Feng Mo pondered for a moment and said, "Little girl, with your alchemy skills, I'm not afraid you'll lose to that Lu Zuichang, but it's easy to dodge an open attack but hard to defend against a hidden one. Who knows if Lu Bingcheng will get involved?"
Zi Linling thought for a moment and asked, "Old Feng, as the president of the Linxian City Alchemist Guild, what is Lu Bingcheng's alchemy level?"
Feng Mo smiled wryly, "Ten years ago, he was a quasi-Emperor level alchemist. But we haven't seen him refine any alchemy in the past decade, so we're not entirely sure.
However, I have a premonition that he might have already crossed the threshold into the Emperor level alchemist!"
Zi Linling breathed a sigh of relief and thought to herself, "That's good!"
She said with a faint smile, "Old Feng, don't worry. No matter how capable Lu Bingcheng is, he wouldn't be so shameless as to replace Lu Zuichang in alchemy. So, he's not to be feared!"
Feng Mo still seemed worried, "This..."
Nian Youyu also said with concern, "Girl, are you really confident?"